The 96-year-old youth hostelling charity YHA (England & Wales) is urging ministers to rethink proposals for a visitor levy in England, warning it could make residential school trips even less accessible for the children who benefit from them most.
With the cost-of-living crisis deepening and millions of children living in poverty, YHA says too many young people are already missing out and is urging the government to adopt two key measures:
- Exempt charities / not-for-profits providing accommodation in pursuit of charitable objects
- Nationally exempt young people’s stays to protect school residentials and educational trips.
YHA warns that unless the government explicitly protects school residentials within its levy plans, even a charge of just £2 per person, per night could increase the cost of trips by 10% or more, placing trips beyond the reach of even more families already struggling to afford them.
YHA has responded to the government consultation on the proposal for the levy (closes at 11:59pm Wednesday 18 February). As part of its proposals, the government wants to give English regional mayors will be given the power to charge tourists a tax for staying overnight as well as decide whether there should be a cap on the size of the levy.
James Blake, CEO of YHA (England & Wales) said: “The proposed levy risks becoming a tax on opportunity. When schools are already trimming residential programmes and families are under sustained financial pressure, even marginal increases matter. For disadvantaged children in particular, the impact is disproportionate.”
Research by the Sutton Trust, an educational charity focused on social mobility, school headteachers and senior leaders, found that half of school leaders reported their school had cut back on trips and outings in 2025 because of funding issues, up from the previous year.
Additionally, it found that schools in the most disadvantaged areas were more likely to be impacted by cuts to trips, with 68% of leaders in the most deprived schools reporting cuts, compared to 44% in the least deprived areas
James added: “Our bursary funds for children who can’t afford a residential are already oversubscribed. Any additional cost attached to overnight stays would stretch those funds further, meaning fewer children supported rather than more.”
Outdoor residential experiences remain deeply unequal. Opportunity is still shaped by where a child lives and how much their family earns. More than half of disadvantaged families are unable to afford trips and outings. For many pupils, a school residential is their first night away from home and their first experience of the countryside.
James added: “At a time when government talks about levelling up opportunity and investing in young people’s futures, we should be removing barriers to access, not adding to them. I would strongly encourage the government to either drop their visitor levy plans or ensure young people, charities and not for profits are exempt. As it stands, the proposed levy is socially regressive.”
YHA is opposing the introduction of a visitor levy alongside 200 hospitality businesses. Ahead of the consultation closing date, James Blake was among the hospitality leaders who have written to the Chancellor calling for the plans to be scrapped. The joint letter, signed by major accommodation and leisure providers including Butlin's, Haven, Merlin Entertainments, Parkdean Resorts and Whitbread, warns the holiday tax would hit families hardest, put jobs at risk and drain spending from local communities.
“We are signatories to the UK Hospitality letter because we recognise the real risk that this proposed holiday tax will deter people from taking holidays in the UK, particularly those on lower incomes and from already underserved communities. Access is at the heart of YHA’s purpose. Our role is to open up travel, adventure and the outdoors to everyone, not to see new financial barriers placed in the way of those who stand to gain the most,” added James.
Discover more about YHA.
